Steve FrenzelAug 26, 2023

So I got back into the #mixing and #mastering game recently cause I wanted to finish a project from a friend that's been lying around for years.

The style is similar to #AnimalsAsLeaders and can be described as #ModernMetal. To get the most out of it, I did some digging on #YouTube and found this amazing channel: https://www.youtube.com/@hardcoremusicstudio

He often talks about "mixing with your ears and not with your eyes" while showcasing this with the #SolidStateLogic E-Channel plugin.

1 of 6

Hardcore Music Studio

I'm here to to help aspiring rock & metal audio engineers make better sounding records. My name's Jordan Valeriote. I've been a recording engineer, mixer and producer for over 10 years and have worked with artists like Silverstein, Emery, Neck Deep, Counterparts, Intervals and more. I regularly post the best recording and mixing tips, tutorials and walkthroughs for heavy music on this channel. While other "experts" online are trying to teach you useless rules and place limitations on your work - advice like "only boost 3db on an EQ" or "avoid using compression," I'm here to reveal the techniques that pro engineers actually use on real world records. In addition to the free videos here, I also offer premium courses related to mixing, recording and editing. Access to my courses is limited to email subscribers only. To get on my email list, download my free mixing guide for EQ and compression at https://mixcheatsheet.com

YouTube
Show threadSteve FrenzelAug 26, 2023

I have a bigger tour coming up later this year as as #FrontOfHouse engineer with #KoraWinter.

It is very likely I will not have the same #MixingConsole every night, so to be more reliant on my hearing and less on visuals, I wanted to give this approach a shot.

During the #lockdown phase, #KurtBallou of #Converge initiated "Isolate / Create", where you can download multitracks of various bands: https://www.isolatecreate.com/

I chose #AimlessArrow by Converge to be my training ground.

2 of 6

ISOLATE/CREATE

ISOLATE/CREATE is a free resource providing creatives with access to digital assets to spark creativity and inspire digital collaboration, all while still practicing responsible social distancing and helping flatten the curve during the Covid-19 crisis. Stay at home and make something cool. All for the greater good of stopping the literal apocalypse.

ISOLATE/CREATE
Show threadSteve FrenzelAug 26, 2023

The cool thing about Converge is that they have a very distinctive sound. So there's no guess work during the mix, even as Kurt provides plenty of textures for #bass and #guitar but a very minimal drum recording.

After importing everything in Logic Pro X, I put everything in order and respective folders, as well as renamed the tracks, which makes it a lot easier to navigate.

3 of 6

Show threadSteve FrenzelAug 26, 2023

First thing I do after sorting stuff is to do a rough mix where I adjust just the volume of all tracks to my liking, which will be my baseline of the final mix. I also weed out any track I don't want to use and commit to that. Check out what the rough mix sounds like!

4 of 6

Show threadSteve Frenzel

My goal was to exlusively use the #SSL e-channel plugin which almost worked. 😅 I had to use the #FabFilter #ProQ3 to get rid of annoying snare ring, as well as #Izotope #Ozone10 and #Softube Tape for sound shaping, but that's it!

I also used the #CheatSheet from #HardcoreMusicStudio and it helped me a lot! It was very freeing to not rely on your eyes anymore and I'm also a big fan of SSL, as it was my first console I ever mixed on. And I also own and love the SSL 2+ #AudioInterface! 😍

5 of 6

Aug 26, 2023 at 6:00amWeb
Show threadSteve FrenzelAug 26, 2023

The final result sounds very similar because I did some A / B testing after I was done with the mix, to come close to Kurt's thick sound. Turns out I had to drive the whole mix HARD into tape distortion to achieve that. 😈

The whole mixing session took around 2.5 hours, because the sound was already set in stone, as I mentioned earlier. No guess work, just mixing and having fun. Definitely gonna keep working like this, feels much more natural. Final result attached, have fun!

6 of 6